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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - NHL veteran Peter Bondra retired from professional hockey Monday to become the general manager of his Slovakia's national team.

"I kept it a secret for a long time. They will know overseas only after this press conference," Bondra said, according to a report from the Slovak national hockey association. "I hope I can help Slovakia win another medal at the world championship."

The 39-year-old Bondra's contract as general manger runs through 2008, when the IIHF World Hockey Championship will be played in Halifax and Quebec City.

Bondra scored the decisive goal in the 4-3 victory over Russia at the 2002 world championship in Sweden that gave Slovakia the title.